Rescue workers in Afghanistan are struggling to reach survivors after a powerful earthquake struck the country’s eastern region, killing at least 1,469 people. The disaster, now being described as one of the deadliest in decades, has also left more than 3,700 injured, according to Taliban authorities.
The Afghan quake, measured at magnitude 6.0, hit late Sunday near the border with Pakistan. Entire villages made of mud-brick homes were reduced to rubble, with families trapped inside while they slept. Continuous aftershocks forced residents to remain outdoors, fearful of further collapses.
UN officials estimate that more than 500,000 people have been affected by the Afghan quake. The majority of casualties were reported in Kunar province, while Nangarhar and Laghman provinces also suffered deaths and injuries.
Access to remote areas has been slow due to landslides and rockfalls. Aid groups like Save the Children reported that some teams had to walk 20 kilometres carrying medical supplies to reach isolated villages. The World Health Organization has appealed for $4 million to scale up emergency health services, warning that “every hour counts.”
Taliban officials said hundreds of helicopter flights have been organized to evacuate the injured to hospitals. Camps have also been set up to coordinate aid, burials, and rescue operations. However, the mountainous terrain has made it difficult to access all affected communities.
The Afghan quake adds to the challenges already facing the country, where nearly 85% of the population lives in extreme poverty. After decades of conflict, Afghanistan is grappling with drought, widespread hunger, and limited international aid.
This is the third major earthquake since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Just last year, Herat province was devastated by a 6.3-magnitude quake that killed over 1,500 people. With resources stretched thin, the latest disaster highlights the urgent need for international assistance.
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